Heather Robinson
THE DECISION to offer support for a political candidate in Jamaica has many and varied bases. Ideally we would all like to believe that this support is based on the candidates' desire to improve and better the conditions of the constituents. Some of the more basic requirements include better opportunities for employment, roads, water and housing. Others also expect that there will be a significant reduction in criminal activity. But these are benefits for the general populace, and among this group are individuals whose sole purpose and motivation for offering support to a candidate is very personal.
The race for the election of the fourth president of the People's National Party is continuing in earnest. The recently concluded Political Leadership Forums organised by the University of the West Indies saw the participation of four possible candidates. These were Dr Peter Phillips, Dr Omar Davies, Dr Karl Blythe and Mrs Portia Simpson Miller. PNP Chairman Robert Pickersgill did not participate. Some see this as an early indication that Mr Pickersgill is reconsidering his candidacy.
Having attended all four presentations it was interesting to see the party (PNP) support that accompanied each speaker. But more interesting was the non-party supporters who by their comments and questions demonstrated quite clearly where their support is, and equally by their objections, to whom they were most opposed. The Political Leadership Forum gave Jamaica its first real opportunity to test and determine the real "on the feet" competence of each contender.
ROAD TO ELECTION
With the Forum now behind the candidates they are now able to concentrate on winning the support and confidence of the members and delegates of the PNP, where the final determination will be made. The next phase of this long electoral road will climax on Saturday, September 10, 2005 when at the 67th Annual Conference, elections for the positions of President and Vice-Presidents will take place.
The President of the PNP, P.J. Patterson stated at the January National Executive Council meeting that he would be attending and chairing the Group of 77 and China meeting during the second week of September. It is quite clear therefore that when Mr Patterson leaves Jamaica for that meeting he will do so as the President of the PNP and Prime Minister of Jamaica. The real focus then will be on the vice-presidential elections.
Currently the existing four are Dr Karl Blythe, Mrs Portia Simpson Miller, Dr Peter Phillips and Dr Paul Robertson. Will Region 3 Chairman, Dr Omar Davies contest these elections? During the months of June, July and August all contenders for the presidency of the PNP will be attending Divisional and Constituency Conferences to try and bolster their support. All contenders will also organize their own activities to try to garner the majority support.
WHICH SIDE TO TAKE
Here again one will be given an opportunity to see who is openly supporting and campaigning with whom. And there are some about which many questions will be asked.
Questions such as what does Comrade A have in common with Contender X? And better yet what does private citizen (non-PNP member/supporter) have to gain from supporting Contender A? Is there some big reward that is given once Contender A is elected the President of the PNP? Is Contender A being supported by a non-PNP member/supporter simply because Contender A is easily manipulated and controlled? Why is the JLP openly campaigning in support of a particular contender? Is Contender B not being supported simply because Contender B is an independent thinker and can run a government without being totally dependent on the instructions of a team of advisors who do not necessarily have any record of political service?
PROCEED WITH CAUTION
PNP delegates need to be very wary of individuals who have very PERSONAL agendas. Those who believe that their personal salvation and future welfare is dependent on the benevolence of a particular contender should re-think their positions, and put the welfare of the PNP and Jamaica first. JLP campaigners can only be interested in having a PNP candidate who poses no real threat to the JLP and Bruce Golding.
Whenever the fourth President of the PNP is elected, the losers will have to continue living, and all those individuals with their personal agendas will return to normal life, and must of necessity continue the support for law and order.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
